756 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [December, 1911.] 
roceed alone to the heap of ashes, the idea being to give 
the culprit an opportunity of returning the stolen property 
unseen. Each man as he comes back to where the Panch is 
seated holds up his hands to show that they are covered with — 
ashes. It is explained that when this ordeal is gone through 
the property is invariably returned, and also that the guilty 
necessary fees more than cover the value of the article found 
missing. 
When making a solemn oath or undertaking or propitiat- 
ft lying near the fresh of low-caste 
Hindus and othe os g near the fresh graves 
Fh ee ey a ek ge Rea oe ee 
